Alba

The Kingdom of Alba is a nation which lies on the Alban Isles within the Sea of Souls. Alba also possesses territories on the mainland in the Miran region, specifically within the lands of Albignano, whom Alba has been at war with for 30 years in the 'Alban Incursion', otherwise known as the "War in the Offshores". Within the politics of Halas, Alba is a highly controversial nation, its ongoing invasion of Albignano a source of tension between Alba and the the regional powers of Cartois and Hera.

Alba historically is governed by a King, but at present the formerly ruling House Ainsley has collapsed after the untimely death of King Bernard Ainsley who perish leading troops into combat in Albignano. Leaving no heirs, House Ainsley collapsed, and has since been replaced by a Regency Council who have been granted the authority to elect a new King, and a 'Lord Warden' who acts as the temporary national dictator while the council acts. It has been 9 years since the death of Bernard Ainsley, and the Regency Council has thus far failed to anoint a new Monarch, leaving the national political scene in turmoil.

Geography
Alba enjoys a very warm, wet climate, and is divided into 6 distinct climate zones. The Eastern reaches of the isle of Alba consist mostly of wide, open, and rolling plains which have been heavily converted into fields and pastures. This region is where the bulk of the nations population lives, and where the majority of its food comes from. The South of the isle of Alba is extremely wet, and is cut through by hundreds of rivers. This region is formed primarily of mangroves, saltwater marshes, swamps, and bayou.

Inland from the sea the lush vegetation slowly thins out until what remains is a massive expanse of moors -- open areas of tall grass, dotted with large rocks and tepid pools of water. These Moors make the bulk of the isle's land mass, and are devoid of population, or signs of life save for the rare Fortress or Watch Post built on elevated hills, or the few roads which cut through this wasteland. Further inland still these moors slowly rise into the highlands, where tall craggy rock formations create a spine which rolls down the island, dividing north from south.

Westward the isle of Glanlough features an environment of dense and lush forests and thickets which coat the island like a carpet. Glanlough is covered by gently rising, heavily forested hills across almost the entirety of the island. Additionally, Alba occupies land in Albignano, at the base of the Miran Mountain range. This land consists mostly of open plains, or lightly forested thickets similar to the east of Alba, though it gently slopes up towards the Miran range, terminating at the border before truly reaching the foothills.

Early History and Foundation
The earliest settlers of Alba originated from the roving Halasian tribes around the century of OT 900 who settled the island, and establishing the initial settlements of Lyn, Forde, and Stratton. These early settlers were likely more similar to the Centran tribes than anything in the local region, which, along with isolation from the mainland, had led to Alban become an isolate culture, with little direct influence from its larger neighbors. Also unlike most other major nations, Alba was entirely devoid of permanent Athiian colonies.

By NT 223 many of the minor tribes on the Alban Isles began to united together through peaceful means, forming minor federations, about six of which spanned the main island. These federations were created primarily to provide mutual defense from one another, in addition to against the Athiian Empire which while still in a state of perpetual decline, was a great power in the region nonetheless. By OT 73 the last of these federations joined together in political marriage to unite the island, and form the Alban Federation

Alban Federation
The Alban Federation operated a rotating council, where one sub-federation would take control of the nation for a three year period, before leadership would rotate to the next in line. This system operated until NT 7 when the Federation of Lyn was chosen as the permanent leader of the federation. The city of Lyn had grown massively thanks in part to its ideal location on the strait of Alba, and the Sovereign-Vassal relationship it maintained with the city of Forde. While there was much initial resistance to this harsh and sudden centralization of power, Lyn and Forde had simply grown too powerful to be overpowered. By NT 37, and two decades of rule by Lyn, the Alban Federation began a slow transition towards absolute monarchy. The Master of Lyn during the 'Council at Stratton' was Ser Rafe Ainsley, a very charismatic man who had won several elections as Master, and was widely beloved by the people of the Lyn Federation.

By the end of the Council at Stratton it was declared that the Master of Lyn would forever serve as the King of the Alban Federation. This was done fully with the intent that the title of Master was that of an elected one. However the citizens of Lyn had other plans in mind, as only a year later Rafe Ainsley would oversee an election in which the title of Master be made a permanent, and elected one. For the next 200 years the Ainsley family would rule Alba uninterrupted. In the year NT 312, however, the tyrant Oliver Ainsley would drag the Federation, famously peaceful and isolationist, into its first foreign war -- and would see that the nation have its first taste of imperial conquest. To the west of the isle of Alba lies the isle of Glanlough. Rich with lumber, and fertile soil the lands of Glanlough were far more hospitable than the rugged and dangerous isle of Alba. Despite this, development in Glanlough was limited thanks in part to a lack of trade with its neighbor Alba. The isle also hadn't organized as quickly as Alba, and was still divided by three federations which had yet to united into one faction as the Alban Federations had. In the year NT 312, under the command of the Tyrant King Oliver Ainsley, the Alban Navy made landfall on the isle of Glanlough.

The Albans, along with an army of 30,000 began a vicious, and cruel campaign of subjugation against the three federations of Glanlough, eventually ending with a technical Alban victory in 322, and a total victory in 357 as the last of the resisting Glanloughan's who had retreated into the thick woodlands of the island surrendered. It would take 200 years before the people of Glanlough received the rights of Citizens of Alba, but even today many, if not most Glanloughan people distrust, if not despise the Alban people and Government. The brutality of this campaign shocked the world, and forged an enemy out of Cartois, who saw the vicious subjugation of Glanlough's people as a horrid crime, and a sign of the nation beginning down a dark path. The 'Massacre of Glanlough' as the war is now called was only an omen of what was to come.

Interwar and the War in the Offshores
Over the next 400 years Alba reentered a state of Militaristic Isolationism, with the new conquest of Glanlough, and a major effort to colonize and exploit the new colonial holding, things in Alba seemed to be settling down. In NT 617 Alba participated in the "Congress of Serrarosa" in which the nations of Alba and Hera entered into an alliance, seeking to counter the growing power of the Cartesian Empire. Through this alliance, Alba was able to ensure its safety from the growing Cartesian influence in the region, fears of which have long plagued the minds of Alban nobility and commoners alike.

With the threat of Cartesian intervention a distant memory, the Alban military machine began one again to turn as the nation turned its eyes towards another, grand colonial prize. Across the Alban strait lies the nation of Albignano, a minor nation which exists as part of the Miran Federation, a loose coalition of Heronian states lying between the Empire of Cartois, and Kingdom of Hera. Albignano maintains only a token military force, which is expected to serve alongside its allies in the Miran Federation. This weakness, paired with its close proximity, made the tiny nation a prime target for Alba's growing imperial ambitions. On October 19th, NT 727 the Heran Navy, using a minor diplomatic spat as a cover, prepared the first of many blockades of the cities of Macerano, Amana, and Sirano, three of the most vital naval and trade ports of the Miran Federation.

The Miran response to this transgression was to threaten war with Alba, which the Kingdom gladly accepted, and escalated their response into a full invasion of Albignano's sovereign territory. The world expressed shock at this sudden escalation, which Alba maintains to this day was only in response to Mira's threats of war. Within a year the city of Macerano, visible from Forde, fell to Alban Marines. By NT 730 the front had been pushed far enough north that the city of Amana fell within Alban occupation. As the Miran Federation was able to mobilize increasingly large shares of its client state's populations the tide of the war slowly began to turn, and the Alban advances ground to a halt.

In the decades since the Alban Marines have been able to claim the minor city of Sirano in the south of Albignano, but have seen little more substantive advances in the front. At present the status of the war is considered a stalemate, with neither side being confident enough to advance, or defeated enough to surrender. The Miran Federation has been a massive increase in Militarization in response, and the events of the 'War in the Offshores' as it is referred to in Alba, has become a profoundly unifying event for the once loose, and sickly federation.

Succession Crisis and the Present day
Historical precedent has seen the Nobility of Alba serve alongside their soldiers since the birth of the earliest Alban Federations. It is considered the highest statement of trust, and confidence in ones people for their feudal lord to serve alongside them in combat, fighting for glory, and in some rare instances, dying alongside them. Such was the case in NT 742, when King Bernard Ainsley perished at the youthful age of 24. Bernard had left behind no heirs, and had no immediate family with strong enough a claim on the throne so as to be considered the obvious successor.

In the following years the Kingdom of Alba fell into crisis, as it now suffered without a leader. The Royal Steward, Miles Lockton, took temporary control of the nation, before establishing, and handing off control of the state to a Noble Council comprised of Earls, Counts, and Barons hand selected by Lockton. This council was comprised mostly of individuals loyal to the Royal Family, and many who Lockton shared personal ties with. Shortly after their establishment, and after seeing significant losses in the Offshores, the Council declared that a Dictator must be appointed in the interim to govern the nation in the stead of a monarch.

Unsurprising this council chose to grant the privilege to the very man to handed the reins of governance to them, Royal Steward Miles Lockton. The Council declared the Ser Lockton, now Count Lockton of Alden or more simply Count Alden, was granted the title of 'Lord Warden of the Alban Isles, and Offland Holdings of Amana, Macerano, and Sirano'. Along with this title, Count Lockton was granted total control of the Military, Courts, and Tax Office. In the years since his appointment, Count Lockton has further centralized his power base, and ensured only those loyal to him remain in positions of prominence.

Meanwhile the Council of Nobles, whose job is the find and appoint a new Monarch, are far too busy debating what color of hair is most 'Alban', or how tall their new Monarch should be, so that he may provide strong and healthy offspring. The Council is not expected to come to a decision any time soon, and the longer they take the more Count Lockton will have centralized his power -- or perhaps even slipped his own name into the running for Monarch.

Economy
Alba enjoys status as a major trade power in Southern Halas, acting as the bridge between the Cartesian Merchant states of Calas, and Solus and the Kingdom of Hera. Alban merchants join these nations as some of the most successful in Halas, seeing regular trade as far inland as Rea, and as distant as the shores of Rotharia. Along with this trade Alba see the benefit of imports from a variety of regions, with Cartesian Wine, Rotharian Spices, and Heran ceramics adorning dinners tables across the nation.

Alba is not able to produce enough food to sustain itself entirely, thanks in part to the harsh geography of the majority of the isles. As such, Alba receives approximately a quarter of its food from foreign imports, primarily from Hera and Cartois. This has put the nation into a dangerous position, as it is somewhat dependent on the good will of these two powers in order to sustain itself. This issue has been dubbed the 'Greens and Grain Crisis' by the Alban Parliament, and has been considered one of the most pressing issues of the last century. This crisis is considered one of the primary drives between the Alban expansion into Albignano, where they seek to gain control of much of the nations best farmlands, so to build a permanent source of domestic produce.

Major Exports
Alba's budget operates on a trade surplus, despite their aggressive agricultural imports, thanks in part to booming industry. The eastern plains region has seen rapid urbanization over the last century, and Alban metal working, especially related to armor, has become greatly popular in Hera, and the Federation States. In addition to this, Alban boats are considered some of the best in the world, and a number of shipyard have established contracts with Solisian, Halasian, and even Rotharian merchant companies. Recently the Kingdom of Hera placed an order for 20 Cogs to be produced by an Alban Shipyard, bringing a substantial investment into the industry. Lastly, on the Isle of Glanlough the lumbering trade has seen massive growth, with lumber, and carpentry quickly becoming one of Alba's primary exports, and spurring an urbanization spree on the highly rural isle.

Government
Historically Alba has been governed as an absolute monarchy, by the Ainsley family, however as the nation is presently without a monarch, it is considered a Constitutional Monarchy. The Government of Alba, at the highest level, consists of an executive, presently the Lord Warden, and a parliament which exists in the form of the 'Congress of Earls'. The Congress of Earls acts as a counter balance to the Lord Warden, threatening to veto specific laws, or even threaten to revoke his title should he lose their favor.

Historically the Earls were appointed by the King, and as such only the most loyal subjects would receive the title. This has led the historic Congress of Earls to serve as little more than a rubber stamp for the Monarchy, however the Lord Warden possess no such power. Instead the Council of Nobles retains the Monarch's right to appoint lower titles.

Feudalism
Lower government in Alba operates off a Feudalistic system, with the lands of Alba being divided into 39 'Earldoms' or Duchies. Included in these are 27 Earldoms on the Isle of Alba (including the Earldom of Lyn, otherwise known as the Royal hold), 7 on the Isles of Glanlough, and 5 within the Offshores. Each Earl is considered the sovereign of their own lands, with only the Monarch, or Lord Warden as their superior. The Earls maintain the right to tax, or change laws for their lands so long as these taxes or laws do not conflict with any on the national level.

Beneath these earls, are dozens, often hundreds of Barons who serve as the appointed governor of the Earldom's holdings, specifically Castles, Fortresses, and Cities. Technically a second group exists as well, as Villages, and Towns tend to elect 'Masters' who serve as the leaders of these communities, though they rarely interface directly with their Earls, with rare exceptions. In such cases these Masters may be granted the non-hereditary, and unlanded title of "Baronet"

Military
Alba's Military is placed under the direct control of the national executive, presently the Lord Warden Miles Lockton. The Military of Alba is professional, unlike most other nations, and consists of around 100,000 individuals, making it the second largest professional army in the world, behind only the Rotharian Military. Alban society is highly militarized, with children expected to learn basic self defense, and swordplay as they grow up, leading to Alban Soldiers also being on average more experienced that most. The military in Alba is primarily focused around itself Navy, however the nations legendary Marines have proven themselves a force to be reckoned with.

Alba's Military tactics tend to favor naval blockades starving a city out, followed shortly after by marine landings, and naval cannon barrages against targets. The Alban military excels where ever water is involved, but has faltered during inland combat, with its present war effort against the Miran Federation in swinging between stalemate, or the verge of collapse. While control of the military is centralized under the Lord Warden, each of the individual Earls are expected to command, or appoint someone to command for them, their own division of forces. Each Earl is granted a division of forces respective to their Earldom's prominence, with the largest division of 20,000 going to the Royal Hold of Lyn, and the smallest, a mere 50, going to the insignificant Ruarí’s Brook in Glanlough.

Culture
As an island nation, Alba has experienced great isolation from its neighbors, and has developed a highly unique culture as a result. Linguistically most similar to the Centran nations, Alba has found itself as a linguistic, and cultural isolate in its region. Due to its lack of historic relations with the Cartesian, or Heran peoples, Alba has often found itself in an isolationist stance, locking itself away from the rest of the world for decades, or centuries at a time. In recent centuries, however, Alba has begun to open up slightly, as it's desire and need for expansion have driven it to conflict, and alignment with the regional powers.

Alba's highly militarized culture have earned it the nickname 'The Halasian Rotharia', for the similarity of its Military cultures, and desires for expansion. Generally speaking Alba is not trusted by the other nations in its region, and neither does Alba or its people trust foreigners. The Alban people tend to be hardworking, but insulated, and highly religious. While Alba is a highly urbanized society (Though not to the extents seen in some Centran nations such as Velius, or Rea), there exist thousands of minor villages and hamlets dotting the countryside. These places tend to be far more isolated than even the large urban areas, as fear of Witches, Spirits, or the Wandering Dead plague these communities.

Additionally some small section of the population live outside of permanent settlements. Such individuals are often called 'Bog Witches', 'Warlocks', or 'Wandering Spirits'. Typically these people are either destitute vagabonds in between cities, or individuals who have been cast out from the highly religious, traditional, and hierarchical communities of Alba. Live in the Swamps and Moors of Alba is harsh, and scare where dangerous animals and harsh conditions make life nearly impossible. To make matters worse, the Moors of Alba are littered with the dead, buried, or abandoned by the road side, which had led to a growing Phage crisis in the nation. Travel alone through the moors is considered dangerous, and highly ill-advised thanks in part to these phage, though they are easily spooked by large groups.

Religion
Like most of its neighbors Alba is a fiercely Heranist nation. A deep history of trade, and alliances with the Kingdom of Hera has imbued a strong sense of loyalty to the Heranist Church in the Alban state and people. No other religion has managed to successfully take root in Alba in all of its history. Recently, however, cracks have begun to show with the rising of the Cartesian Heresy. While the Alban people have yet to embrace the Heresy, there has been growing talk of dissent against the church, or perhaps even the formation of an Alban Heresy unique to itself.

Presently Church Authorities, led by Arch Bishop Lionel Standon have been able to quell these rumors, and have brought an air of religious stability to the nation, at least for now. But with tensions growing between Alba and is historic allies in Hera, relations between the church at large have been strained as well, and there are now growing fears that Alba may be exiled from the Congress of Hera, and may be abandoned by the church entirely.

Cities
Lyn

Forde

Stratton

Ashten

Amana

Macerano

Alden